Mumbai: As India celebrates Independence Day, Mukul Madhav Foundation (MMF) brings to the fore a distressing reality: the thousands of children who lose their childhood due to child trafficking. MMF's evocative short film seeks to give these missing children a voice, narrating the tragic tales of these children.

The film uniquely captures the essence of childhood innocence through the lens of a cherished soft toy, Balloo the teddy bear, which is a witness to the trauma faced by his best friend, Bittu. Balloo's presence throughout the narrative mirrors the stark reality of countless children whose voices are stifled and their dreams shattered.

Bittu and Balloo’s story is more than just a film; it's a Public Service Announcement (PSA) call to action. It serves as a potent reminder of the thousands of Indian children whose potential remains unfulfilled. Through this film, MMF prompts us to remember and act for those fighting for their freedom.

“Child trafficking takes away more than just childhood from children, it also takes away their future potential and their sense of self,” said a spokesperson from Mukul Madhav Foundation. “At Mukul Madhav Foundation, we collaborate with partners to not only rescue but also rehabilitate and reintegrate victims of child trafficking.”

Schbang group creative manager  Rishabh Pande commented, “76 years in and there's a part of India that is still not free. This is the harsh reality that resides in the underbelly of an India that we do not see. It was therefore imperative for us to tell this sensitive story through a sensitive lens, a tale of an innocent soft toy juxtaposed with the tale of a not-so-innocent reality of child trafficking”

Mukul Madhav Foundation and Schbang invites viewers not only to watch the film, but also to engage, share, and mobilise resources and efforts to combat child trafficking and restore the lost childhoods of its victims.